Grier's Guide to Horsham
The match: Horsham v Kingstonian, Isthmian League. Saturday 12 February, 15:00
The club: The Hornets were founded in 1881 but spent their first century or so in the Sussex League and the lower reaches of the Isthmian, only reaching the Premier Division for the first time in 2006. The following year they reached the 2nd round proper of the FA Cup for the first time, drawing live on TV with Roberto Martinez's Swansea side that won League One that year. They had a difficult period after selling their ground in 2008 and struggling to get planning permission for the new one but they're now finally in their new home and back in the Isthmian Premier.
The town: Market town between London and Brighton that allegedly saw Britain's last ever wife sale in 1844, for a price of 30 shillings. Famous residents include Harry Enfield, Holly Willoughby and pop/rock band The Feeling.
The ground: The Camping World Community Stadium, Worthing Road, Horsham, RH13 0AD. They sold their town centre Queen Street ground and then, in a cautionary tale for Ks, endured 11 years of groundsharing while fighting for planning permission for the replacement. Like many modern grounds it's out of town, is tidy but compact, and has a 3G pitch. It won Groundtastic magazine's best new ground award for the 2019/20 season.
Ticket prices: £11 adults, £6 over 60s/students/U18s, £2 U16s, U5s free. They're available either on the gate or from https://horshamfc.ktckts.com/
Directions: The ground is a mile and a half south of the town centre, just off the A24. By train Horsham is 43 minutes from Clapham Junction, with the 23 or 98 bus taking you to the ground. Only players and officials can park there unless you have a blue badge, in which case you can contact Horsham to reserve a space. For everyone else, parking is at the Hop Oast park and ride site a five minute walk away, RH13 0AR.
Our record there: Our previous visits have both seen Horsham knock us out of the FA Cup - both last season and this year.
Players to watch: There are now four ex-Ks in the Horsham side. Forward Eddie D'Sane and midfielders Tom Kavanagh and Tom Richards have been joined recently by Chris Sessegnon, who had a brief loan spell for us under Alan Dowson. Top scorer Shamir Fenelon has plenty of National League experience.
Recent form: They enjoyed a fine run to the first round proper of the FA Cup and then won six straight games to rocket up the league table following a slow start. They've stumbled since though, with only one league win from their last nine, last time out they were beaten in the final minute at Margate.
Crowd: Like many clubs, getting their own ground after a long period of groundsharing has been a huge boost for them. They're averaging 664 so far this season with the 'Lardy Army' leading the singing.
Drinking: The ground is well outside the town but is near to the Boars Head, a country pub with a small outside terrace and typical pub food. There's plenty of choice in the town centre including spacious gastropub The Black Jug, the craft beer focused Anchor Tap and traditional boozer The Bear. The Queens Head near the old ground, where many Ks fans used to go, has now been sold for housing.
Food: The Boars Head and a 24-hour Shell garage are the only options near the ground.
